I have a 2008 LTZ Duramax 2500. Just purchased a 35 ft Everest fifth wheel last night. The truck has a 4 inch lift and now I need to either lower the truck or raise up the fifth wheel. Any ideas out there? Has anyone done this? The axles are already riding on the springs of the trailer, I've already lowered the hitch in the truck and raised the hitch pin on the trailer.
Lift trailer or lower truck
- Thread starter GreMonster
- Start date
if the axles are already under the springs than your only choice might be to put taller springs on the RV. That will definitely make your coach more top heavy as you are moving the center of gravity up quite a ways, and be careful on lowering the hitch, your bed is +3" deeper than any other truck and the RV mfg's havent caught up to that yet. -Jeff
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Welcome to DD.
I have no experience with a 5th wheel camper...but from hauling a gooseneck, I would think lifting the trailer would make the trailer top heavy. But maybe the plate on the fifth wheel will help "steady" it.
Personally, I would try to find a lifted trailer and see how it tows. It would probably get expensive to return your truck to stock height.
Lifted trucks are cool to look at...but it makes it a pita to work the truck.
Wish I could be of more help...but those are some options to consider.
On edit: I type slow...WSU beat me to it.
I have no experience with a 5th wheel camper...but from hauling a gooseneck, I would think lifting the trailer would make the trailer top heavy. But maybe the plate on the fifth wheel will help "steady" it.
Personally, I would try to find a lifted trailer and see how it tows. It would probably get expensive to return your truck to stock height.
Lifted trucks are cool to look at...but it makes it a pita to work the truck.
Wish I could be of more help...but those are some options to consider.
On edit: I type slow...WSU beat me to it.
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Thanks guys. I dread putting my truck back to stock but I agree with WSU, it could make it a bit more top heavy. But, I think - 4 inches isn't much to lift the trailer. The cost to fabricate a new suspension for the trailer is $2K so I'm sure I could do the stock suspension for around that or less. Plus, I can then sell my 4 inch lift.
it should not be that expensive to lift that trailer. get me the measurements from the ground to the kingpin and the ground to the top of the hitch and I will check on it. -Jeff
lift the trailer, i have a 6" lift and 315's the trailer has a 6" spacer so the spring is still under the axle. You can also spring it over. I am sure it may make it more top heavy but it tows the same. I mostly tow out in the desert so I'm off camber alot and I have had no issues in 5 years.
Lower the truck. Much safer.
Please don't do this.
Source: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007...c0.m245&_trkparms=65:12|39:1|72:1205|240:1318
Please don't do this.
Source: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007...c0.m245&_trkparms=65:12|39:1|72:1205|240:1318
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I think if you're going to do quite a bit of towing you'll be happier with the truck back to stock - especially in crosswinds with that much surface area!
Plus - if you ever need to tow anyone else's 5th wheel as a favor it makes it much easier - trust me, you'll make camping friends and such and their truck will be in the shop and they HAVE to get ready for this weekend RIGHT now so could you PLEASE drive them. :hug:
Just ask Johnny how many times he's been to the salt flats :rofl:
Plus - if you ever need to tow anyone else's 5th wheel as a favor it makes it much easier - trust me, you'll make camping friends and such and their truck will be in the shop and they HAVE to get ready for this weekend RIGHT now so could you PLEASE drive them. :hug:
Just ask Johnny how many times he's been to the salt flats :rofl:
Reply
Thanks again for the feedback. Even though I don't want to do it I think the safer route is for me to lower the truck. Besides, I will keep the 4" lift and I can always put it back on and raise up the trailer if I want to change. If I replace the entire suspension for the trailer and weld a new block across the axle its going to be tough to change that in the future. Now I just need to find a stock suspension. Thanks again.
Thanks again for the feedback. Even though I don't want to do it I think the safer route is for me to lower the truck. Besides, I will keep the 4" lift and I can always put it back on and raise up the trailer if I want to change. If I replace the entire suspension for the trailer and weld a new block across the axle its going to be tough to change that in the future. Now I just need to find a stock suspension. Thanks again.
I would put the truck back to stock. Like Jasondt2001 said you will be happier with it back to stock especially in crosswinds. I agree.
I guess that is one way to do it...lol. The spacer should attached to the frame so the springs stay sprung under that and the shackles mount to the spacer. I had another 5er that was sprung over and it was fine to...but like the spacer better because its stays sprung under.
the chevy is low...even with my 6" lift and 35's i can easily tow my friends stock trailers with no problem. hell my truck is only about 3/4 higher at the hitch then my friends dodge with 31's....and I get the benefit of a much larger tire footprint...if you tow off road to camp or in the sand you can't beat the larger footprint...i can go lots of places my friends stock trucks can't because of this.
Also as to the wind issue. I have never had an issue that made me not feel safe. I have seen semi's blown over yet the winds really didn't effect me too much. Of course everyone will have their own opinion and they should do what they think is best.